CAMARO, MUSTANG OR INTREPID?

[FPD2252]

OUR DEPARTMENT IS CONSIDERING VEHICLES TO ADDRESS AGGRESSIVE DRIVING ENFORCEMENT. IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK, THE DEPT. BELIEVES THAT WE NEED SOME HIGH-PERFORMANCE VEHICLES THAT BLEND IN.

IT IS MY TASK TO FIND A VEHICLE THAT MEETS THAT NEED, WRITE SPECIFICATIONS, AND THEN PRESENT MY COMMANDER WITH AN ANTICIPATED PRICE.

I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU COULD GIVE ME...EVEN MINUTE DETAILS, SUCH AS PERSONAL COMFORT RIDING WITH FULL UNIFORM AND BELT GEAR IN ONE CAR VERSUS ANOTHER.

THANK YOU...THIS IS URGENT!!!

[klar]

It has been a long time since I was in full uniform in a mustang. I can tell you that the mustang has some nice features but I would probally go with the intrepid due to more space and wider stance so it handles a lot better. I have driven a intrepid and liked the way it accelerated and handled the corners. I am not that much of a chevey fan so do not have a lot of info on the camero. But if you were going to go in that line I would also look at the grand am as a possibility I know they are a comfortable ride. Hope that helps some sorry not much help.

Klar

[Sig220Man]

If comfort is your biggest deciding factor, I can tell you the Camaro is VERY UNcomfortable to drive in uniform. I recently drove a 1998 model Z28 for a special detail.

The seating position, with your fanny only an inch or two above the carpeting, forces your legs to be fully extended in front of you. Combined with the very low roofline, it made getting in and out of the car an extremely awkward experience. And this detail entailed conducting MANY traffic stops on suspicious vehicles.

The aggressively bolstered sport seats were NOT meant for those who wear Sam Browne belts. I had to put up with my cuff cases digging into my kidneys, and I had to sit off-kilter to the steering wheel because my holster interfered with the center console.

When this detail was over, my back was absolutely killing me

[shooter1201]

I *HAD* a Firebird(same as a Camaro, basically), and it was NOTHING but TROUBLE!!!

I currently own 2 Mustangs: a 1998 w/5-speed(FUN to drive!!! ) and a 2001(auto). I have had ZERO problems with either vehicle.

BTW....Either Mustang would run CIRCLES around the Firebird.

When I lived/worked in Florida, FHP used Mustangs as pursuit vehicles on I-75/I-95. At that time, they had 5.0s and manual transmissions. They would haul ***!!!!

[Niteshift]

The new police package Intrepid is pretty much untested, so I'm leery.

The Camaro, as stated, is fast but not comfortable.

The Mustang......not the same car it was as a pursuit car and frakly, it doesn't leave you a lot of room either.

My suggestion is choice #4....... none of the above.

Why are we even looking at them?

There are plenty of cars as fast.
There are plenty of cars more roomy and comfortable.
There are plenty of cars in that price range.
And if "low profile" is the idea, why not get into something even less cop than those?

The Olds Aurora.....fast, good amount of room, blends in great. Good reliability.

The Bonneville.....see above, except for the great reliability comment.

A pick-up: Not much for high speeds (handling-wise), but it's a nigh high platform giving you better views of the traffic and a better camera view as well.

SUV: See above.

There are others....... the thing is I think guys get into this "pursuit car" mentality and simply want the dept. to buy them a Camaro etc. because it will look cool. Frankly, if speed and handling were an issue and the comfort wasn't (like in the Camaro), why not the Suburu WSX(?) or something like that?

My point is, don't limit yourself to those 3, none of which are ideal. Comfort is the biggest factor. And for blending in.....when was the last time you saw a PD using an Aurora?

[THE BRONZE]

General Motors has killed the F-body, so after this year, no more Camaros or Firebirds. I don't know if you can still order B4C Camaros.

Shooter's Firebird must have been sick; any stock Z28/B4C Camaro will eat a Mudstang without blinking. However, the Camaro's ground clearance is worse, and from what the local Troopers tell me, its more uncomfortable, and harder to get in and out of than the Mudstang. You also have to take into consideration the size of the officers. I haven't met anybody over 5'8" who liked driving either of them as a duty car.

Like Niteshift said, look at everything available. GM will release a Police Package Tahoe this year. Its not pursuit rated, but with the right options, should be a good vehicle. A buddy of mine who has used both a Tahoe and an Expedition in hard driving said the Tahoe does better with its lower center of gravity. Look at full sized pickups, also. They blend in nicely, and have some very nice engine choices available.

[lone ranger]

Nightshift has a good idea.

New South Wales Police have a few Subaru WRX's that they use as marked pursuit car. After loosing several pursuits when the bad guys had the WRX they got a few of their own.

I have an RS as a personal vehicle and its great. I used to think my old Mustang GT was the greatest thing on wheels. The GT is OK if it never rains or snows where you are. The WRX has the same horsepower as a Mustang and with the AWD will stick to the road like glue even in a heavy downpour.

I drive to work in my RS in full uniform. Its not too uncomfortable. There wouldn't be room for a cage, and would be cramped with two officers. But if youre going to use it for traffic enforcement it would work great.

I still have a few pictures of the NSW car from an old police cruiser website. Email me if you want to see them.

[shooter1201]

So you guys don't like Mustangs, huh? LOL To each his own....

The pickup truck idea has merit. Have you considered a Ford F150 'SVT Lightning'? 140mph + top end. Fastest production pickup made.

http://www.svt.ford.com/flash/index.html

Just an idea....

[ 02-21-2002: Message edited by: shooter1201 ]

[THE BRONZE]

I like Rustangs, er...Mustangs just fine. I had an 88 GT for about three years, had a lot of fun with it. The F-Bodies are just better performers.

[jeeper]

Sports cars (mustangs, camaros, etc.) are too limited with interior room for patrol car use. Even as a traffic car there is still too much you need to carry that won't fit into one of these vehicles.


The full-size truck idea has merit, however, aren't they a bit pricey? Also, the trucks would handle like crap. The handling is something which would need to be taken into consideration due to traffic initiating a lot of pursuits. Also, if you get alot of snow you'd almost have to get 4x4 trucks just to safely keep them on the road all 12 months of the year.


The WRX idea is awesome, imho. These cars are a little small though. I REALLY like these subarus as they are just about the only actual car on the market i'd buy. This is an idea which could have alot of merit. Imagine these for patrol in rural areas, sweeeet. WRX, if it were slightly larger, could be the ideal patrol car. (lone ranger...if you could post a pic, please do).


Why not just use unmarked Police Interceptors or Impalas. I know WI State
Patrol has had awesome enforcement activity using unmarked Impalas. Get them in an unusual color, WSP uses red or silver alot and nails people quite often who would spot a marked or even unmarked PI easily. I don't know anything about the new Intrepids, but they could be very effective also. I know a guy who used to work for a PD which had a Grand Prix all decked out as a marked patrol car, he liked its handling and abilities, however it was somewhat of a tight fit up front.


Personally, i'd say stick with a full-size or at least mid-size 4door police package/sport sedan type car.

[Don]

How about a Harley?

[Don]

How about a Harley?

[JKT]

Tx Department of Transportation is using some F150's and some Ram 1500's for their enforcement activities. Also, Tx DPS is using some.

Of course, the Rabbit Rangers are using 4x4's of the same trucks. All with pretty good results.

After the trend in the late '80's and through the '90's of using smaller vehicles, I'm beginng to see more and more larger vehicles in use, especially for Admin. Our Sheriff is driving an Expedition, the Chief has a Suburban and a couple of the others are also driving trucks.

What would be nice is something along the lines of the late '70's Dodge Manaco Police Package.

Can you imagine (especially for some of the younger Officers) driving something with a 440 Magnum engine in it?

I know, I'm dreaming again........

[PeteBroccolo]

On my Satellite Unit here in Weyburn we have 2 Crown Vics, but our main Unit in Regina has 2 Camaros, 3 CV and 1 re-conditioned Caprice (for Drug Interdiction patrols).

Generally it is only the Sargeant and the 1 Corporal, who are smaller guys, that drive the Camaros, because the other guys in Regina are all too big to fit comfortably in them and/or their backs get twisted from sitting in them.

I am NO fan of unmarked, or even slicked roofed, patrol vehicles. I am also NOT thrilled with the idea of driving either a Mustang OR a Camaro while on patrol. They are hard to get in and out of, I feel like I am sitting on a skateboard, and suspect that stopping some bad "client" that just NEEDS to be incarcerated will give me the same feeling a dog must have after chasing a car that does stop - now what do I do with it?!

Yes, yes, I know - unmarked traffic/pursuit vehicles DO have their place in enforcement work. If anything, I would say go with SOME vehicle OTHER than a Mustang, Camaro, CV, Caprice/Impala or even an Intrepid, as long as you have some back-up vehicles to assist.

Of course, I am a kinder, gentler, squishier kind of LEO/PO (hack, gag, gag!)

[FPD2252]

Well...the department said now that they are really only looking at the Intrepid or the Durango, espcially the DURANGO. Can anyone send the specs on a Police Durango...and also some pics of marked Durnangos if you have them. Thank you all for your input!!